Archived News for Green Sector Professionals - July, 2015
A former member of the expert committee behind the approval of the Shenhua Watermark coal mine says it comes with big risks to water supplies.
ARENA backs big solar for mine site
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) says it has raised the global bar by supporting a 10.6 MW solar PV installation at the DeGrussa Copper Mine in Western Australia.
Greens' drug push urges new view
The Greens are pushing for Australian authorities to take on a Portuguese program that approaches drug addiction as a health issue, not a criminal one.
Side-stepping and semantics in Hunt's take on power
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has been grilled over the approval of an enormous NSW coal mine and the nature of emissions trading schemes (ETS) in interviews over the weekend.
Solar fuel-splitter stepped-up with new material
Researchers have developed a very promising prototype of a new solar cell, which produces clean hydrogen gas fuel from liquid water.
Wood firms look for reasons to burn
Tasmanian firms are keen to fire up Australia’s newest form of renewable energy – native wood.
Farmers' fears doused in NSW
A respected hydrologist has told New South Wales farmers that they have nothing to fear from coal seam gas (CSG) operations in the Pilliga forest.
Household help to hit green goals
Experts say Australia can achieve zero net emissions by 2050, living within its recommended carbon budget and using technologies that exist today, while still growing the economy.
Resilience review rolls to NT rivers
Researchers in the Northern Territory will assess the resilience of freshwater fish in the region’s rivers.
Study shows cuttlefish plan scuffles
Research has revealed an intriguing behaviour displayed by the cuttlefish – it sizes up a counterpart and adjusts its fighting style before battle.
Crude price decline to deepen
The International Energy Agency says global demand for oil will slow even further down next year, warning that the recent downward spiral in crude prices could continue.
Federal cabinet shifts Shenhua concerns
The stoush in the Federal Government over the approval of a massive coal mine in New South Wales continues, and it appears no one wants to take responsibility for granting the green light.
Plenty at risk in wind power switch
The Abbott Government has put international investment, local jobs and its own reputation at risk by instructing the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to move away from wind energy.
Joyce and Hunt tussle over huge mine approval
Environment Minister Greg Hunt has approved the huge – and hugely contentious – Shenhua Watermark coal mine in New South Wales, sparking outrage from his colleague Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Fatbergs build in flushing folly
While they might be cheap on supermarket shelves, disposable wipes are costing water authorities tens of millions of dollars.
Help in dry times creates state divide
With rainfall totals at their lowest on record in parts of western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia, weather forecasters say conditions are getting worse.
Lazarus goes deep to push Abbott on gas
Independent Queensland Senator Glenn Lazarus has threatened to grab the Prime Minister Tony Abbott's genitals if he does not limit coal seam gas (CSG) exploration.
Study swims in Sydney's drug-laden waters
Researchers have found significant levels of prescription drugs in water samples from Sydney Harbour.
Getting a grip on the road to tyre power
Engineers in the US have developed a nanogenerator that can harvest the energy produced by the friction of a tyre rolling along the ground.
NSW change could see social/enviro costs counted
The NSW Government wants to change planning laws to remove a rule that made the economic benefits of a proposed coal mine the main consideration when assessing for approval.